The Japanese Mitsui Group has begun testing the world’s first commercial dual-fuel two-stroke engine powered by ammonia – a prototype of an MAN engine.
The test run of the prototype MAN B&W 7S60ME-LGIA Mk 10.5 engine (Liquid Gas Injection Ammonia) with ammonia as fuel has now started at Mitsui’s Tamano plant, as MAN announced.
The 60-bore engine will be installed by Imabari Shipbuilding in a 200,000 dwt bulk carrier as part of a joint venture between “K” LINE, NS United and Itochu Corp. It is also equipped with the HPSCR (High Pressure Selective Catalytic Reduction) system developed by MAN Energy Solutions to ensure compliance with the IMO Tier III standard.
Ammonia as a significant milestone towards decarbonization
Bjarne Foldager – Head of Two-Stroke Business – MAN Energy Solutions, said: “The use of ammonia together with biofuel oil as pilot oil enables CO2-neutral combustion and is a significant milestone towards decarbonization, especially in the shipping industry, where there is an urgent need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.” The company has worked closely with Mitsui E&S on this pioneering project and has found that there is great interest in the progress made in the industry. So far, MAN Energy Solutions says it has received “several orders” for ammonia engines from across Asia. “We are confident that ammonia will be one of the three most important alternative fuels on the market alongside methanol and methane,” Foldager continues.
The test phase also includes verification of the safety and performance of the ammonia fuel supply system independently developed by Mitsui E&S, as well as other peripheral systems.
According to Ole Pyndt Hansen, Head of Two-Stroke R&D at MAN, the test in Japan builds on the results of extensive single-cylinder ammonia fuel tests conducted at MAN’s research center in Copenhagen. “It is exciting to see this project getting closer and closer to commercial realization. The special characteristics of ammonia require a high degree of care, and we have taken every precaution to handle this fuel safely,” says Hansen.
Practical experience at sea is said to be crucial for fine-tuning the engine’s performance and reliability, “and thus its market launch will depend on a positive experience in operation. We expect to launch our ME-LGIA ammonia engines with 50, 60, 70 and 80 bore by the end of 2026, but the exact timing will depend on the respective schedules of the shipyards,” said the manager.
